Highlander’s Wicked Temptation: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel by Maddie MacKenna (red novels TXT) 📗

She could only imagine what the servants would say once that door opened and saw the two of them on the bed.

Cleopatra quickly shuffled off the bed and straightened herself. Turning her back to Jude she laced her corset and tried to straighten her hair to make herself presentable.

Jude couldn’t help but laugh as he caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Her hair was disheveled and in a tangled mess. But he didn’t care, she was just as lovely as ever.

“If ye’re concerned about what the servants are goin’ to say it’s too late,” he said, “chances are they’re already gossipin’ about us.”

“Still, I can look my best, can I not?” Cleo said as she glanced over her shoulder to glare at him. Jude moved quickly to her side and tried to help manage her wild locks.

“We could just tell the servants that ye were sleepin’,” Jude said with a chuckle as he moved back to the bed to collect his trews from off the floor.

“I doubt that they would believe it,” she said as she shifted the corset one last time.

Jude cleared his throat as he tucked in his shirt. Lifting his head and rolling his shoulders back he stole one last glimpse of Cleo. “Are ye ready for them?”

Cleo gave a quick nod as Jude gave the word for the servant to open door. The door flew open quickly and standing with wild, frantic eyes Jude noticed Paige completely distraught.

“M’Laird,” she said bowing quickly, “come quickly.”

“What is goin’ on? What has happened?”

“It is the hounds, sire,” she said as her eyes shifted from Jude to Cleo. Instantly Jude noticed that his servant’s hands were trembling, and he moved closer to her. Panic shot through him as he realized something was terribly wrong.

“Tell me what happened,” Jude said as he followed Paige out of the room.

The sound of their feet echoed and bounced off the narrow hallway as they raced toward Jude’s room. Jude could not help feel his heart sink into his stomach as his mind raced with all the possibilities of what he was about to walk into.

Please nae me son. Let me boy be all right. Paige said it was the hounds. She never mentioned anythin’ about Hugh.

Paige stopped at Jude’s bedroom door, her face growing pale as she pushed open the door. Jude’s heart was fluttering in his chest as he felt a great pressure tighten around his heart. The blissfulness that he had felt just moments prior vanished and was replaced by terror as he stepped toward the open door. His eyes widened as he scanned the empty room.

“What is this?” He demanded as he turned his attention to Paige.

“Look,” she said as she moved deeper into the room and circled the bed. Slowly Jude followed her as the pressure in his chest tightened.

“I came to deliver some food that had been tested and tasted,” she said as she turned her eyes away. “But Hugh was not in here. So, I looked at the food on the bed for him. As I closed the door, I heard a horrible sound and came rushing back in. That mutt had jumped on the bed and was eatin’ it. I tried to shoo him away, but he suddenly fell on his own accord.”

Jude kept his eyes locked on her. Her entire body was trembling with fear as he finally glanced around her to see Hugh’s dog convulsing on the floor. White foam billowed out of the dog’s mouth as his eyes rolled back. Tears streamed down the servant’s face and Jude felt sorry for her. Quickly he reached out to her and curled his arms around her tiny frame.

“Hush now,” Jude said, “clear your eyes and go fetch the healer.”

In the corner of his eye, he spotted Cleo stepping into the doorway. Jude shook his head and held out a hand refusing her entrance into the room. Placing his hands on Paige’s shoulders he stared at the servant.

“Ye heard me, right?” Jude asked. Paige nodded as he released her. “Go then and do as I say.”

Paige bowed quickly and rushed out of the room. Jude was at Cleopatra’s side in a flash. Quickly he grabbed her by the shoulders, spinning her around so that she could not see.

“Ye shouldnae be in here,” Jude said, “this is nae a safe place for ye to be. Go back to yer room and I will fetch ye later.”

“What has happened? Tell me, please. And where is Hugh?”

Before Jude could say another word, he glanced over Cleo’s shoulder to find Aidan standing with his mouth agape.

“Find me son,” Jude demanded. “He cannae have gone far. Search everywhere, now!”

“Last time I checked, he was in the study where he had been readin’,” Aidan said as confusion stretched across his face.

Jude exchanged a quick glance with Cleo. It was as if they knew exactly what the other was thinking and rushed from the room. Charging down the hallway, they headed down the stairs. Jude’s heart quickened with fear as he felt like heavy stones had been placed in his chest.

As he ran, every thought that he had was focused on his son. Moving swiftly to the study, he knew Cleo was on his heels, ready for anything. Pushing through the study door, relief washed over him as he noticed his son sitting in the nook of the window with the book in his hand. The child was completely oblivious to what was going on in other parts of the castle.

“Faither?” Hugh asked as he glanced over his shoulder to find Jude and Cleo standing in the doorway. Rushing to his son, Jude felt as if his heart was going to explode. He ran his fingers through Hugh’s hair before cupping his face and staring at him. Jude searched Hugh for signs of weariness or drowsiness in his son’s eyes.

“What have ye had to eat?” Jude asked as Cleo moved next to them. Hugh’s eyes shifted to Cleo as